A massive programme to connect urban people to piped water is up and running across many counties in Kenya and is already impacting 1.4 million people. Water kiosks and tanks, yard taps, pipeline extensions and new meters are being installed across many of the 47 counties in Kenya. As well as improvements to health, water leaks are being reduced and people are now able to budget for their water needs.
Eng. Nelson Bosuben of the Water Services Trust Fund explains the goal, “we are seeking to improve water supply for those in poor housing, and in markets, bus parks or heavily built-up areas”. The programme has also allowed the government to map water access throughout the country, vital for planning for future needs and reducing conflict about water supply.
Over the last four years, the Water Services Trust Fund has received Sh1.2 billion from the European Union to improve access to clean water for those living in urban areas. A thousand new kiosks and yard taps have been installed, as well as 20,000 consumer metres fitted under the programme.
Over 1,500 km of new water piping has connected many people and communities who were previously living a long way from a tap. Many have seen the benefits, including improved health as they no longer have to rely on dirty water for drinking.
“There are more water connections and reduced lost water,” Eng. Nelson Bosuben says. “We are seeing reduced time for fetching water, reduced cost for water and water supplies that will last,” he adds.
When the Trust Fund first mapped connections and supply to the pipe network in December last year, it became apparent Collins’ family and his community in Manyani was going without water most days.
Collins Ouma, 27, who lives near Nakuru, says that his family of seven can now enjoy a regular water supply, thanks to the Water Services Trust Fund.
“Some residential plots had no water connection and those that were connected like ours, the water supply was not adequate as the landlords were rationing it because of spillage; which meant that they had to pay higher bills,” explains Collins.
When the Trust Fund came in they installed new pipes and wasted water was cut down. They also installed prepaid water meters. “With this, we have been able to save on high water bills due to water lost on spillages and also budget and account for our consumption while enjoying constant water supply,” explains Collins.
Almost two hundred projects are up and running and improving the availability of clean drinking water for many people who are living in Samburu, Isiolo, Machakos, Nakuru, Kisumu and many other counties in the country.
This is just one of several large-scale programmes that is being funded by the European Union across the country. The European Union and the German Development Bank is financing the six-year programme, which also involves construction of public toilets and a hygiene campaign.
For more information please contact:
Matt Freear Phone:
+254 703 116992
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/delegations/kenya/index_en.htm
Twitter: @EUinKenya
